Pentagon Chief Calls for return to Strict Standards,Criticizes “Woke” Policies and Soldier Fitness
Pete Hegseth,recently appointed to a leadership role within the pentagon,delivered a forceful speech advocating for a return to stricter military standards,criticizing what he termed “decades of decadence” and “politically correct” rules of engagement.Speaking before troops with a large American flag as a backdrop, Hegseth called for a renewed focus on “lethal capacities” over diversity initiatives and a significant overhaul of physical and behavioral standards.
Hegseth specifically criticized current “commitment rules” on the battlefield, arguing they hinder effectiveness. He also directly addressed soldier fitness, stating, “ItS tiring to look at combat training…and to see big soldiers. Likewise, it is entirely unacceptable to see generals and big admirals in the corridors of the Pentagon.” He advocated for physical standards mirroring those of the 1990s, emphasizing they must be “uniform, neutral in terms of gender and high, otherwise they are not standards” and could lead to casualties.He also announced plans for soldiers to maintain closely shaved heads and short haircuts.
The speech included a strong rejection of what Hegseth characterized as an overemphasis on diversity,stating he desired an army focused on lethality,”not on racial or gender diversity.” He urged soldiers to disregard fear of reporting and to end “frivolous complaints,anonymous,repeated,which dirty reputations,” claiming the military had become a “Ministry of Woke.”
Hegseth also signaled a shift in rules of engagement, declaring, “We give carte blanche to our fighters to intimidate, demoralize, track down and kill the enemies of our country.” He dismissed existing rules as “politically correct and authoritarian,” advocating for “common sense, maximum lethality and the authority of the combatants.” This approach, he noted, had recently been applied in the Caribbean, where U.S. forces killed over a dozen individuals during operations against alleged drug traffickers – the justification for which remains under scrutiny by the Trump governance.
The speech also addressed an ongoing investigation into Hegseth’s use of secure messaging. In April, the Pentagon’s Inspector General launched a probe following the accidental inclusion of a journalist in a discussion regarding planned strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Hegseth accused the inspector General’s office of being “instrumentalized.”
Hegseth concluded with a stark challenge to any officials uncomfortable with his vision, stating, “If what I say today weighs on consciousness, then you must act with honor and resign.” This followed a series of recent departures from the military leadership, including the February dismissal of Chief of Staff Charles “CQ” Brown, and also the removal of the heads of the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and several high-ranking military lawyers – all without stated reasons.
